Loading…
Wednesday, July 29Wednesday, July 29
Friedrich Merz, the leader of Germany's CDU/CSU parliamentary group, is facing a critical test of his leadership as the party prepares to vote for a new faction leader today. The vote comes amid growing internal dissatisfaction with Merz's handling of personnel changes and party strategy.
Thorsten Frei, the current head of the Chancellor's Office, has been proposed as the new leader of the CDU/CSU parliamentary group. The vote is seen as a "mood test" for Merz, with some party members expressing frustration over recent personnel decisions and the direction of the party.
The internal tensions within the CDU/CSU have been building for some time. Earlier this week, Jens Spahn resigned as the chairman of the parliamentary group, prompting a series of personnel changes and debates within the party. Katherina Reiche, the Federal Minister for Economic Affairs, has also come under pressure, with her relationship with Merz described as strained.
The broader political landscape in Germany is also in flux. The latest polls show the AfD (Alternative for Germany) leading with 27% support, followed by the CDU/CSU with 21%. The Greens and the Left Party are also significant players, with 16% and 13% support, respectively.
The vote today will be a crucial moment for Merz and the CDU/CSU. If the result is weak, it could send a strong message to the Chancellor about the party's dissatisfaction with his leadership. Some party members have called for Merz to address the concerns and prepare thoroughly for the vote.
The internal debates within the CDU/CSU come at a time when the party is preparing for difficult elections in September. The outcome of today's vote could have significant implications for the party's future and Merz's leadership.
The vote for the new faction leader is expected to take place later today, with the results likely to be announced shortly afterwards. The outcome will be closely watched by political observers and party members alike.
Follow us for live European news
Morning Briefing: Wahl des Fraktionsvorsitzenden wird Stimmungstest für Merz Mit der Wahl von Thorsten Frei zum neuen Fraktionschef steht Friedrich Merz (CDU) vor einem Stimmungstest. Markus Söder wirbt um Ruhe, doch im Kabinett ist die Personaldebatte nicht beendet.
handelsblatt · about 2 hours ago
Morning Briefing: Stimmungstest für Friedrich Merz / Wie zwei Kriege zu einem strategischen Problem werden Mit der Wahl von Thorsten Frei zum neuen Fraktionschef steht Friedrich Merz (CDU) vor einem Stimmungstest. Markus Söder wirbt um Ruhe, doch im Kabinett ist die Personaldebatte nicht beendet.
handelsblatt · about 2 hours ago
Information: Can Wammen solve the trust crisis in police and PET? Police and intelligence services have for years enjoyed strong cross-party support. Several cases show that times have changed. It will be crucial for Justice Minister Nicolai Wammen (S) to handle the crisis of trust.
cphpost · about 2 hours ago
Avisen Danmark Bendt Bendtsen, who is a former party chairman of De Konservative, hid that he was hospitalized 50 times with heart problems while he was a minister and party chairman. Now he reveals how close he was to paying the ultimate price and that he has now also been hit by cancer. Nevertheless, his zest for […]
cphpost · about 2 hours ago
The spectacular split in Polands right Polands once-dominant Law and Justice party has split, with former PM Mateusz Morawiecki breaking with longtime leader Jarosław Kaczyński and preparing to build a rival force on the right. Zoya Sheftalovich and Ian Wishart examine whether the rupture offers current PM Donald Tusk a lifeline ahead of the 2027 election — and what it means […]
politico.eu · about 2 hours ago
F.A.Z. Frühdenker: Wie geht der Stimmungstest für Merz aus? Die Wahl des neuen Fraktionsvorsitzenden wird zum Stimmungstest für Kanzler Merz, die Fed entscheidet über den Leitzins, Wacken feiert Jubiläum, und der nächste Spiderman kommt ins Kino. Der F.A.Z. Frühdenker.
faz · about 2 hours ago
CDU-Personal: Merz baut um – Neuaufstellung mit Risiko In der Union und der Bundesregierung werden wichtige Posten neu besetzt. Was bedeutet dieser Umbau für die Regierungsarbeit? Und: So bereiten sich kommende CSDs vor.
die zeit · about 2 hours ago
Scenariusz wyrzucania z PiS niespodziewanie zmieniono. Rzecznik dyscypliny będzie wzywał na rozmowy Rzecznik dyscyplinarny PiS, Karol Karski, jeszcze w niedzielę informował w TVN24, że "nie odgrywa żadnej roli w procedurze" wydalenia zbuntowanych członków PiS z partii. Teraz Komitet Polityczny PiS to zmienił, z czego - według nieoficjalnych doniesień PAP - Karski podobno "nie był zadowolony". Ostateczną decyzję może jednak podjąć Koleżeński Sąd Dyscyplinarny.
gazeta.pl · about 3 hours ago
Averile demnitarilor devin greu de verificat. Românii nu vor mai vedea sumele exacte din conturi: „Este doar un rezumat Parlamentarii PSD, PNL și USR au adoptat luni, în Comisia juridică a Camerei Deputaților, un amendament care schimbă modul în care românii vor putea verifica averile demnitarilor. Actualele declarații de avere și de interese nu dispar, însă ele nu vor mai fi publicate integral.
adevarul · about 3 hours ago
Il governo prenota i fondi Safe poi si spacca sui 14,9 miliardi. La Lega: Decida il Parlamento Soldi per la difesa, lannuncio di Tajani che poi si corregge: Ne useremo meno. Crosetto assicura: Nessuna spesa militare in più
corriere · about 3 hours ago
Schnieder nimmt laut Bericht nicht an Kabinettssitzung teil – um Merz nicht zu begegnen Folgt nach der Entlassung der finale Seitenhieb? Patrick Schnieder verweigert Kanzler Merz laut einem Bericht die letzte Begegnung im Kabinett. Von verletzter Würde ist die Rede. Ein Politikwissenschaftler sieht durch Merz Verhalten das Ansehen der Bundesregierung gefährdet.
welt.de · about 4 hours ago
Merzs fresh start quickly falls apart Talk of replacing the chancellor is growing as his party braces for difficult elections in September.
politico.eu · about 4 hours ago
What voters really think of Britains new PM The POLITICO Poll shows Andy Burnham is a hit with voters after one week in the job, though a majority still thinks he should call an election to win his own mandate.
politico.eu · about 4 hours ago
Ciucu spune că PNL nu mai face Guvern cu PSD cel puţin 10-20 de ani: Ca să recâștige puterea, va face alianță cu AUR Primarul Capitalei, Ciprian Ciucu, a declarat marţi că PNL nu mai poate guverna cel puţin 10-20 de ani alături de PSD, adăugând că cel mai probabil social-democrații vor face o alianță cu AUR la următoarele alegeri, „fiind singurul mod în care aceștia pot să recâștige puterea.
digi24 · about 5 hours ago
Distanz zu Merz: Politologe: Merz sollte auf CDU-Fraktion zugehen
die zeit · about 5 hours ago
Germany, Forsa poll: AfD-ESN: 27 (+1) CDU/CSU-EPP: 21 (-1) GRÜNE-G/EFA: 16 LINKE-LEFT: 13 (+1) SPD-S&D: 12 FDP-RE: 4 +/- vs. 14-20 July 2026 Fieldwork: 21-27 July 2026 Sample size: 2,502 ➤ europeelects.eu/germany
telegram_Europe Elects · about 5 hours ago
Wahlkampf: Hallervorden: AfD-Regierung würde Kultur zensieren In Dieter Hallervordens Heimat Sachsen-Anhalt wird bald gewählt. Die AfD liegt in Umfragen deutlich vor den anderen Parteien. Hallervorden warnt deutlich.
tagesspiegel · about 5 hours ago
PiS zakazało Kurskiemu wystąpień medialnych. Poszło o Morawieckiego Jacek Kurski niedawno wygłosił teorię, że Morawiecki "próbuje zrobić wszystko, żeby rozbić Prawo i Sprawiedliwość na zlecenie Donalda Tuska". Jego wystąpienie najprawdopodobniej nie spodobało się Komisji Etyki PiS.
gazeta.pl · about 6 hours ago
!["Its a serious clusterf*ck": Behind-the-scenes fury and panic roil key House primary While Democrats across the country are pulling their hair out over Michigans brutal Democratic Senate primary, a key House race in the state is also quietly giving party leaders heartburn.Why it matters: Infighting between establishment Democrats could create an opening for a progressive who many Democratic strategists and lawmakers are skeptical can win the seat in November.Moderate Democrats and party leaders inability to coalesce behind a single candidate has become the source of considerable behind-the-scenes acrimony, Axios has learned."This has gotten really intense," said a senior House Democrat, who, like others quoted in this piece, spoke on the condition of anonymity to offer candid analysis on the race and the anger surrounding it."Its a serious clusterf*ck," a Michigan state legislator told Axios. "I am just sitting back eating popcorn because now its so f*cked up its just, Lets just enjoy this."State of play: Three Democrats are running in the primary to take on Rep. Tom Barrett (R-Mich.) in Michigans 7th district, which President Trump won by just over a single percentage point in 2024.Bridget Brink: A career foreign service officer who resigned as ambassador to Ukraine last year over Trump administration policy, backed by the Democratic Womens Caucus.William Lawrence: A co-founder of the progressive climate organization Sunrise Movement, endorsed by the Congressional Progressive Caucus and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.).Matt Maasdam: A retired Navy SEAL and military aide to former President Obama supported by Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.).What were hearing: Slotkin, who represented the seat before Barrett, has rankled some colleagues and fellow Michigan Democrats by boosting Maasdam in the final stretch of the campaign.In addition to recruiting Maasdam and then endorsing him and cutting an ad on his behalf last week, Slotkin has lent her name to his fundraising texts and paid for internal polling on his behalf, according to emails and texts viewed by Axios and multiple sources familiar with the matter.A senior House Democrat said the frustration over Slotkins push for Maasdam ranked some leading Democratic Womens Caucus members, telling Axios: "The Womens [Caucus] went apesh*t. And I mean apesh*t."What theyre saying: Several Michigan Democrats fumed that Slotkins support for Maasdam risks eating into the lead that Brink has held for much of the campaign and creating an even larger opening for Lawrence.State Rep. Jennifer Conlin, who described Slotkin as a mentor, told Axios she "found it so perplexing" the senator endorsed Maasdam given that Brink shares her background as a woman in national security."Its just very strange to me that she would be endorsing Matt," Conlin said.Another local elected official expressed confusion at Slotkins support for Maasdam because, they told Axios, the senator has told local allies "very plainly" that any Democratic nominee in the district "has got to be a woman."The other side: "Senator Slotkin is singularly focused on one thing: flipping her old seat from red back to blue. Her entire goal is to help win back the House and put a real check on President Trump," said Slotkin spokesperson Josh Stewart.Stewart added: "Matt Maasdam is the best candidate to do that."Dianne Byrum, a former minority leader of the Michigan House of Representatives, said in an interview that the criticism of Slotkin for not supporting a fellow woman is "more noise than anything else.""What we should be focused on is bringing out of the primary the strongest candidate to run against Tom Barrett, and I happen to believe that is Matt Maasdam," Byrum told Axios.Zoom out: Centrist Democrats agree that Lawrence should not be the nominee for a key swing seat, pointing to his left-wing positions and his comments in 2024 that Black Democratic leaders "defang the white left."Rep. Hillary Scholten (D-Mich.) told Axios that Lawrences past comments "speak to a broader lack of judgment, temperament, and leadership that would leave him ill-equipped to lead in Congress. In short, he cant win.""We have a great chance to win the seat if we get the candidate that can win the seat. Will Lawrence is not that candidate," said Rep. Brad Schneider (D-Ill.), the chair of the center-left New Democrat Coalition.Brink and Maasdam "both would be wonderful," he added. "I wish the two of them were not running against each other but running in two different districts."Yes, but: "Every election cycle, we hear the same inauthentic talking points against candidates demanding real change for their communities," said progressive Rep. Delia Ramirez (D-Ill.).She added: "Voters are tired of empty suits reciting talking points from DC consultants or of those beholden to special interests, defending the status quo rather than delivering for the district."Lawrence argued in a statement to Axios that casting him purely in ideological terms ignores the broader appeal of his anti-data center focus."If you dont live in Mid-Michigan, you dont know how angry people are about AI data centers pushing their way into our communities," he said, adding that his message is "reaching voters across the political spectrum."The intrigue: As if the campaigns and their outside backers wailing on each other relentlessly wasnt bad enough for Democrats, now Republicans may be getting in on the action.Brinks campaign and Slotkin allege that Michigan Sunrise PAC — which started running ads against Maasdam over the weekend — is a Republican front group, noting their bank is mainly used by GOP campaigns.Michigan Sunrise PAC and the Republican super PAC Congressional Leadership Fund did not respond to multiple requests for comment."If Democrats care about winning back the House, they should unify around Matt Maasdam with the same energy as the GOP is expending to see him lose," said Stewart.The race was already awash in spending from outside groups supporting all three candidates, including a Congressional Black Caucus-aligned super PAC spending $1 million on ads attacking Lawrence.The largest spender in the race has been VoteVets, a group that works to elect Democratic military veterans to office, which has spent $2 million in support of Maasdam, according to Federal Election Commission filings.The bottom line: Regardless of who wins, this is a primary that Democrats will be happy to wash their hands of after Aug. 4.Said the state legislator who spoke on the condition of anonymity: "I think everybodys sitting back and saying, This is a f*cking nightmare."](https://images.axios.com/goMzskgG8Is_Fdbc9NQQRNQ58go=/0x0:3744x2106/1366x768/2026/07/28/1785260285954.jpeg)
"Its a serious clusterf*ck": Behind-the-scenes fury and panic roil key House primary While Democrats across the country are pulling their hair out over Michigans brutal Democratic Senate primary, a key House race in the state is also quietly giving party leaders heartburn.Why it matters: Infighting between establishment Democrats could create an opening for a progressive who many Democratic strategists and lawmakers are skeptical can win the seat in November.Moderate Democrats and party leaders inability to coalesce behind a single candidate has become the source of considerable behind-the-scenes acrimony, Axios has learned."This has gotten really intense," said a senior House Democrat, who, like others quoted in this piece, spoke on the condition of anonymity to offer candid analysis on the race and the anger surrounding it."Its a serious clusterf*ck," a Michigan state legislator told Axios. "I am just sitting back eating popcorn because now its so f*cked up its just, Lets just enjoy this."State of play: Three Democrats are running in the primary to take on Rep. Tom Barrett (R-Mich.) in Michigans 7th district, which President Trump won by just over a single percentage point in 2024.Bridget Brink: A career foreign service officer who resigned as ambassador to Ukraine last year over Trump administration policy, backed by the Democratic Womens Caucus.William Lawrence: A co-founder of the progressive climate organization Sunrise Movement, endorsed by the Congressional Progressive Caucus and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.).Matt Maasdam: A retired Navy SEAL and military aide to former President Obama supported by Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.).What were hearing: Slotkin, who represented the seat before Barrett, has rankled some colleagues and fellow Michigan Democrats by boosting Maasdam in the final stretch of the campaign.In addition to recruiting Maasdam and then endorsing him and cutting an ad on his behalf last week, Slotkin has lent her name to his fundraising texts and paid for internal polling on his behalf, according to emails and texts viewed by Axios and multiple sources familiar with the matter.A senior House Democrat said the frustration over Slotkins push for Maasdam ranked some leading Democratic Womens Caucus members, telling Axios: "The Womens [Caucus] went apesh*t. And I mean apesh*t."What theyre saying: Several Michigan Democrats fumed that Slotkins support for Maasdam risks eating into the lead that Brink has held for much of the campaign and creating an even larger opening for Lawrence.State Rep. Jennifer Conlin, who described Slotkin as a mentor, told Axios she "found it so perplexing" the senator endorsed Maasdam given that Brink shares her background as a woman in national security."Its just very strange to me that she would be endorsing Matt," Conlin said.Another local elected official expressed confusion at Slotkins support for Maasdam because, they told Axios, the senator has told local allies "very plainly" that any Democratic nominee in the district "has got to be a woman."The other side: "Senator Slotkin is singularly focused on one thing: flipping her old seat from red back to blue. Her entire goal is to help win back the House and put a real check on President Trump," said Slotkin spokesperson Josh Stewart.Stewart added: "Matt Maasdam is the best candidate to do that."Dianne Byrum, a former minority leader of the Michigan House of Representatives, said in an interview that the criticism of Slotkin for not supporting a fellow woman is "more noise than anything else.""What we should be focused on is bringing out of the primary the strongest candidate to run against Tom Barrett, and I happen to believe that is Matt Maasdam," Byrum told Axios.Zoom out: Centrist Democrats agree that Lawrence should not be the nominee for a key swing seat, pointing to his left-wing positions and his comments in 2024 that Black Democratic leaders "defang the white left."Rep. Hillary Scholten (D-Mich.) told Axios that Lawrences past comments "speak to a broader lack of judgment, temperament, and leadership that would leave him ill-equipped to lead in Congress. In short, he cant win.""We have a great chance to win the seat if we get the candidate that can win the seat. Will Lawrence is not that candidate," said Rep. Brad Schneider (D-Ill.), the chair of the center-left New Democrat Coalition.Brink and Maasdam "both would be wonderful," he added. "I wish the two of them were not running against each other but running in two different districts."Yes, but: "Every election cycle, we hear the same inauthentic talking points against candidates demanding real change for their communities," said progressive Rep. Delia Ramirez (D-Ill.).She added: "Voters are tired of empty suits reciting talking points from DC consultants or of those beholden to special interests, defending the status quo rather than delivering for the district."Lawrence argued in a statement to Axios that casting him purely in ideological terms ignores the broader appeal of his anti-data center focus."If you dont live in Mid-Michigan, you dont know how angry people are about AI data centers pushing their way into our communities," he said, adding that his message is "reaching voters across the political spectrum."The intrigue: As if the campaigns and their outside backers wailing on each other relentlessly wasnt bad enough for Democrats, now Republicans may be getting in on the action.Brinks campaign and Slotkin allege that Michigan Sunrise PAC — which started running ads against Maasdam over the weekend — is a Republican front group, noting their bank is mainly used by GOP campaigns.Michigan Sunrise PAC and the Republican super PAC Congressional Leadership Fund did not respond to multiple requests for comment."If Democrats care about winning back the House, they should unify around Matt Maasdam with the same energy as the GOP is expending to see him lose," said Stewart.The race was already awash in spending from outside groups supporting all three candidates, including a Congressional Black Caucus-aligned super PAC spending $1 million on ads attacking Lawrence.The largest spender in the race has been VoteVets, a group that works to elect Democratic military veterans to office, which has spent $2 million in support of Maasdam, according to Federal Election Commission filings.The bottom line: Regardless of who wins, this is a primary that Democrats will be happy to wash their hands of after Aug. 4.Said the state legislator who spoke on the condition of anonymity: "I think everybodys sitting back and saying, This is a f*cking nightmare."
axios · about 6 hours ago
Economía, vivienda y corrupción: las claves de un fin de curso político con tintes electorales El presidente del Gobierno ensalza los resultados económicos y destaca los fondos europeos como "palanca fundamental", al tiempo que reafirma su intención de "culminar la legislatura". Leer
expansion · about 6 hours ago
IL pede audição a Seguro e será ouvida na segunda-feira A última audiência do Presidente da República com um líder partidário decorreu no dia 15 de julho com o líder do Chega, depois de André Ventura ter alegado que foi ameaçado verbalmente por Luís Neves no último debate quinzenal
observador · about 6 hours ago
Dan Motreanu: Fuga de responsabilitate a devenit un reflex al PSD. Blochează, contestă, atacă, apoi caută un vinovat Europarlamentarul PNL Dan Motreanu a afirmat, marţi, că fuga de responsabilitate a devenit un „reflex al PSD, susţinând că acest partid „blochează, contestă, atacă, apoi caută un vinovat.
digi24 · about 6 hours ago
Friedrich Merz respinge proiectul viitorului buget UE și cere reduceri substanțiale: „Cifrele nu sunt echilibrate Cancelarul german Friedrich Merz a cerut reducerea substanțială a viitorului buget al Uniunii Europene, respingând atât propunerea Comisiei Europene, cât și varianta de compromis aflată în negocieri. Liderul de la Berlin susține că proiectul pentru perioada 2028-2034 este prea mare și că sunt necesare reduceri în toate domeniile.
digi24 · about 6 hours ago
Ciucu, despre aripa anti-Bolojan din PNL: Cred că au mai rămas vreo 10 colegi care continuă să atace partidul din interior Primarul Capitalei, prim-vicepreşedintele PNL Ciprian Ciucu a declarat, marţi, despre aripa anti-Bolojan din PNL, că este o facţiune mai veche, cunoscută, care întotdeauna a încercat în ultima perioadă să se poziţioneze alături de PSD şi sunt din ce în ce mai puţini, au rămas vreo 10.
digi24 · about 6 hours ago
Nie spełniły się słowa rzecznika dyscyplinarnego PiS. "Byłem przekonany" Karol Karski w niedzielę na antenie TVN24 mówił, że Komitet Polityczny PiS stwierdzi ustanie członkostwa pewnych osób. - Byłem przekonany, że sprawa zostanie właśnie rozpatrzona w ten sposób - przyznał dziś w naszej stacji. Tak się jednak nie stało - sprawy osób, które nie podpisały partyjnej "lojalki", trafiły właśnie do niego.
tvn24 · about 6 hours ago
Indias cockroach protesters explain how they toppled one of Modis ministers After weeks of student protests, the resignation of Indias education minister on July 25 was hailed as a victory for the so-called cockroaches, a youth movement that has made this originally derogatory term their own. But some are concerned about facing repression down the line, aided by facial recognition.
france24 · about 6 hours ago
„Kapitel ist abgeschlossen – Söder hakt mögliche Kanzlerkandidatur ab CSU-Chef Markus Söder hegte immer wieder Ambitionen aufs Kanzleramt. Friedrich Merz hingegen ist derzeit innerparteilich angeschlagen. Doch Söder lehnt eine künftige Kandidatur ab – und nimmt den Kanzler in Schutz.
welt.de · about 7 hours ago
„Die Frage stellt sich nicht: Für Söder ist die Kanzlerkandidatur vom Tisch Das Kapitel Kanzlerkandidatur ist für CSU-Chef Markus Söder abgeschlossen. Friedrich Merz verteidigt er. Denn: In der Politik laufe es nunmal wie im Fußball.
tagesspiegel · about 7 hours ago
Morawiecki rekrutuje członków do Rozwoju Plus. "Jestem po paru rozmowach" Mateusz Morawiecki, choć formalnie nie został jeszcze usunięty z PiS, zapowiada rozszerzanie stowarzyszenia Rozwój Plus. Były premier oświadczył, że odbył już pierwsze rozmowy z politykami, którzy mogliby dołączyć do jego inicjatywy.
gazeta.pl · about 7 hours ago
Polish opposition rift hands Donald Tusk pre-election boost Ex-PM Mateusz Morawiecki prepares breakaway party after dozens of lawmakers expelled from rightwing PiS
financial times · about 7 hours ago